What if Beauty was cursed, and the Beast was the only one who could save her? Don't miss WITHERING ROSE, a dystopian romance from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Beauty & The Beast. This is the second book in Once Upon A Curse, a series of interconnected stand-alone novels all set in the same fantasy universe.

"As the heat finally disappeared, I felt the bloom blossom in the very core of my soul, a rose just like my name—a ticking clock hidden behind a façade of beauty. From that moment on, my life would become a countdown, and all I could do was wait and watch as the petals of time slowly started to fall."

Omorose Bouchene has a secret—magic. There's only one problem. At the age of seven, an earthquake struck, catapulting her into a new world. A land made of skyscrapers and cell phones. Fast cars and fluorescent lights. A land where magic isn't supposed to exist and anyone who wields it is the enemy.

But after ten years of hiding, she's desperate to find a place where she can be free. Because all magic comes with a curse, and her curse is time—every ounce of power she uses strips days off of her life. The clock is winding down, and the only option left is to escape to the realm ruled by a man known only as the Beast. But the king of monsters isn’t what he seems. And the more Omorose opens her heart, the more she comes to realize that the only person she may need to fear is herself.

Cole stands abruptly, pushing his chair back so quickly it nearly falls over. "Come with me," he urges.

His tone is pleading so I do, taking his hand, not saying anything as we leave the barely eaten food behind. It doesn’t take long for me to recognize where we're going. I expected it all along.

Still, I gasp as we enter the ballroom. Cole starts down the steps, but I stop at the top, taking in the twinkling chandeliers and the newly cleaned glistening gold moldings all around the room. My eyes follow the trail of flickering lights around the sweeping space, meeting the hundreds of eyes reflecting those same flames as they watch me with their king. Wolves. Bears. Leopards. Birds. Foxes. A kingdom of predators who bow submissively before us in a swift wave.

Cole looks over his shoulder, reaching out to where I'm stuck.

"Dance with me," he whispers.

My gaze drops to his. I don't understand the pain in his eyes. But I understand the hope. And it guides me to him. Our fingers wrap together, holding tight, and he leads me to the center of the floor.

"There's no music," I murmur shyly, conscious of the many eyes upon us.

Cole spins me toward him, grasping my small waist with his strong hand. The heat of his palm pushes through the fabric, burning as though there is nothing between us at all. His other hand still clutches me, holding our arms to the side. And then he leans in, close enough that all I see and sense is him, the broad expanse of his chest, the woodsy, wild smell that clings to him, the rumble of words deep in his chest.

He presses his lips gently against my ear and whispers, "There will be."

The first howl rises almost eerily in the silence. But another joins. Then another. The song reminds me of the one I heard deep in my soul the first time I stepped into this room, dancing with my memories before the sound of a distant laugh stopped me.

"My favorite thing about this book is the action. Jade isn't a sleeping princess. She's the best fighter and so fierce in her "empty" state. I felt like this was an urban fantasy with all the steam of a romance, and it was almost perfect for me." - Jessie Potts, USA TODAY Happy Ever After Blog

"Davis writes with confidence and poise, and the story's many twists and turns stave off predictability and allow readers to become immersed in a starkly magical world filled with last hopes." - Publisher's Weekly

"Gathering Frost is just awesome in every way. Beautiful prose, lots of heart-wrenching emotion, action and romance, a great, unstoppable villain, and a smart, tough heroine who will fight for what she wants." - Geeks in High School

"The writing is flawless as always and I must say, way to take a classic and make such a creative and wonderful twist to it...It's well thought out and it unbelievably magnificent. I seriously couldn't put it down. Wait I never actually put it down. I started and finished in one sitting because it's just that good. This one is a MUST READ." - Happy Tails and Tales Blog

About the Author

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie.

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

To stay up-to-date with all of Kaitlyn's new releases, sign up for her new release newsletter here: TinyLetter.com/KaitlynDavisBooks